by Kayla Turnbow
Navy Office of Community Outreach
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- A 2016 Northeastern High School, in Pennsylvania, graduate and Baltimore native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron, which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Deontae Joseph is an aviation structural mechanic with the Gladiators of VFA 106, which operates out of Naval Air Station Oceana. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for maintaining the engines, fuel and oil to ensure everything is operating correctly.
Joseph credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Baltimore.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of patience,” said Joseph. “If you are rushing things in my job, it can create a disaster. Having patience allows you to make wiser decisions, collect all the data and act appropriately.”
Members of VFA 106 fly and maintain the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 pounds, and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland. Super Hornets are an all-weather aircraft used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for interdiction and air support.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Joseph is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Joseph is most proud of earning a Letter of Commendation from an admiral with their previous command.
“I was awarded this during deployment where I was working seven days a week and getting fatigued,” said Joseph. “But that didn’t matter, I had to keep working, keep pushing myself. I was undesignated at the time so it made me feel great to be recognized and know my work was being seen.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Joseph, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Joseph is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was in the Navy,” said Joseph. “I asked him for recommendations on what I should do. He told me the Navy would be a good step to take and a good opportunity for me.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Joseph and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy to me is having the pride and honor to do something more,” added Joseph. “It means being needed and being able to make a difference.”